"There are hundreds of thousands of necromancers in the Empire. Far fewer bone witches. The population of the Ninth is declining."

She toys with one of her bangles with a gloved hand; the half-eaten crust of bread is entirely forgotten. "Most competent necromancers can raise and control a bone construct, but to grow and animate an intact skeleton from partial bones is a secret of the Ninth House."

"I believe I may be the last, barring the Emperor himself and his Saints."